Police intervene in suspended teachers’ protest in Diyarbakır

Turkish police dispersed on Saturday a group of around 50 teachers who were staging a protest in Diyarbakır against the Turkish government’s recent suspension of 11,285 teachers over alleged links with the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Teachers, blowing whistles and holding placards gathered at the main avenue of Diyarbakır’s Kayapınar district early on Saturday. Riot police used teargas to disperse the participants as they attempted to march through the main street of the district.

On Sept 8, Turkish Education Ministry suspended 11,285 teachers for allegedly supporting PKK. It is also reported that the number of teachers suspended is expected to rise to 14,000 after an investigation is completed with contributions from local governors’ offices.